Photo Record

Catalog Number

WF 0126

Caption

millinery shop

Description

Unknown millinery shop on Commercial Avenue. Millinery shops were an important fixture of Anacortes businesses from 1890 through the 1920s. One of the first to advertise was the Artistic Millinery Store in the Bennison Block (314 - 320 Commercial) on 12/11/1890. These stores were housed in many different buildings from the Keystone Block [Mrs. A.L. Snyder 9/24/1891] to the Vendome Building [Mrs. Lester and Gundlach, 4/15/1909]. Because these businesses catered exclusively to women, they provided an important social outlet for females. "Front row: Elsie M. Conolley and her mother Clarinda Strong. Back, Tania Ortieg, Annie Leighe, Laura Beffa."